Pipe coupling



Dec. 24, lf935. M. p LAURENT 2,025,112

PIPE COUPLING Filed May 19, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 24, 1935. M. P.LAURENT PIPE COUPLING Filed May 19, 1932 4 Sheets-Shea?l 2 Dec. 24,1935. M, P LAURENT 2,025,112

PIPE COUPLING Filed May 19, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 24, 1935.

M. P. LAURENT v 2,025,112

PIPE COUPLING Filed May 19, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 www.,

Patented Dec. 24, 1935 UNITED lSTATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to pipe joints in general, and has particularreference to a sealing and locking device associated therewith.

In pipe joints such as couplings or unions, espe- 5 cially of theheavier type, a great deal of diiculty is experienced in not onlyeffecting a iiuidtight connection, but in maintaining it, which,

due to the resultant strains of the pressures has a tendency to becomeloosened, thereby losing its l efliciency, this being especially true inthe oil elds. When assembling joints of this nature heavy and awkwardtools are usually required and frequently necessitating the services oftwo men.

In an eiort to overcome the above and other disadvantages incidental tothis general type of pipe couplings, it is an important object of mypresent invention to provide an extremely simple, durable, and highlyeiective device which 20 may be readily assembled in the minimum amountof time with the least effort, and requiring no particular training orskill.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a novelstructure which permits an assembled joint to be gradually tightened andsecurely locked against accidental displacement by the operation of aunitary member.

Other objects of this invention will hereinafter be set forth, or willbe apparent from the description and the drawings, in which areillustrated a number of embodiments of the device for carrying out myinvention.

The nature of this invention many forms in which it may be embodied ispredicated upon the principle of fluid-way coupling members havingmutual or interlocking engaging devices acting to center the couplingmembers in fluid-tight sealing relation, and an eX- ternal unitarylocking means qualified to maintain the assembly in fluid-tight sealedrelation.

'Ihis invention rst will be described in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part hereof and then nally claimed.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure l is a top plan View of the embodiments of my inventionillustrating my improved locking device as associated with a returnbend;

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof, partially broken away and shown insection;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevation par- GII regardless of thetially broken away, as shown in section of another embodiment of myinvention;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Figure5;

Figure 7 illustrates a top plan view of my in- 5 vention as applied to apipe coupling;

Figure 8 is a front view thereof partially broken away;

Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 9--9 throughFigure 8;

Figure 10 is a front elevation of still another embodiment of myinvention as employed inconnection with a pipe coupling;

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on the line II-II of Figure 10 andlooking in the direction 15 of the arrows; y

Figure l2 is a top plan view of another application of my inventionillustrating it as applied to the box type return bend;

Figure 13 is a side elevation thereof `partially 20 broken away, and, v

Figure 14 is a detailed view in perspective of the locking memberassociated therewith.

Referring now particularly to Figures l to 4 inclusive, the hollowedbody I0 is provided with 25 a pair of branch members I I, in the form ofthe usual return bend. Integrally cast or otherwise formed near each endof the branch members I I is a pair of oppositely disposed and outwardlyextending lugs l2 having arcuate outer surfaces 30 I3, preferably formedconcentric with their adjacent branch members I I. The upper surfaces I4of the lugs I2 are angularly disposed and oppositely inclined withrespect to each other for a purpose which will be shortly obvious. Theunderside of each of the branch members I I adjacent their bores areprovided with concave seats I5, as is clearly illustrated in Figure 3 ofthe accompanying drawings. To obtain the best results, the oppositelydisposed lugs I2 are formed slightly less 40 than one fourth of thecircumference, that is to say, each of the lugs are slightly less thanninety degrees.

'I'he tubular portions or pipe members I6 are provided near their upperends with enlarged headed members Il which terminate at their upper endswith rounded portions I8. These rounded portions I8 are convex andadapted to snugly fit the concave seats I5 of the branch members I I.

A pair of oppositely disposed lugs I9 are rigidly 50 formed adjacent theheaded portion I'I and are preferably of the same size and contour asare the lugs I2 previously described. The lower surfaces of the lugs I9are rounded as is clearly shown in Figure 3.

The sealing member 20 associated with the embodiment of my inventionconsists of a substantially vcylindrical body portion having a pair ofinwardly extending and integrally formed teethl 2| at the upper endthereof which extend circumferentially around the branch members II andprovide spaces 22 therebetween. The lower faces of these inwardlyextending teeth 2| are angularly faced and are of substantially the sameangle as are the upper faces 14 of the teeth I2 with which they areadapted to engage. The lower portion of the tubular member 20 isprovided with an inwardly extending and continuously formed flange 23.This flange is provided with a concave seat portion 24 of substantiallythe same contour as the mating surfaces of the lugs I9 against.

which it is adapted to engage.

An outwardly extending arm 25 is preferably cast integrally with eachofthe cylindrical body portions 20 and is slotted as indicated at 26 forthe purpose of receiving a threaded bolt 21. Each end of the bolt-21, itwill be noted by referring' to Figure 1 in the drawings, is oppositelythreaded and is provided with nuts 28 adapted to t against the outersurfaces of the arms 25. For the purpose of permitting the rotation ofthe bolt 21 for effectually oscillating or clamping both of thecylindrical body portionsv simultaneously, as indicated, for example, bythe arrows in Figure 1, I provide it with an enlarged polygonal portion29. Overhanging ledges 30 may be provided upon the outer sides of eachof the arms 25 for the purpose of not only preventing the rotation ofthe nuts 28 but for effectually preventing their displacement withrespect thereto.

When assembling the return bend, as disclosed in this embodiment of myinvention, the tubular members I6 are inserted through the cylindricalbody portion 20, the lugs I9 passing between the teeth 2I or ratherthrough the space 22, until the lugs I9 rest upon the annular andconcave seat portion 24. Each of the cylindrical body portions 20 arenow passed upwardly over the ends of the branch members II, that is tosay, the openings 22, are adapted to align with the outwardly extendinglugs I2, whereupon each of the cylindrical body portions 20 areoscillated in reverse directions or as indicated by the arrows inFigure 1. The bolt 21 is then inserted through the slots 29 in the arms25, permitting each of the nuts 28 to seat below the overhanging ledges30. The oscillation of the cylindrical body portions 20 caused by therotation of the bolt 21 will, of course, produce Wedging or bindingaction'of the lugs I2 with respect to their mating teeth 2I. It will beappreciated that the tightening of the bolt' .21 will cause each of thecylindrical body portions to be independently seated with respect totheir headed members. I will now describe the embodiment of theinvention illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 wherein it will be noted thatinstead of employing a unitary threaded bolt for simultaneously rotatingboth of the cylindrical body portions for effecting the sealingconnections, I employ a separate threaded bolt for each of the branchmembers. In these figures, it/will be noted, that the branch member Ilmis provided with an integrally formed and outwardly. extending arm 35and is slotted as indicated at 36 for receiving the head of a bolt 31.The cylindrical body portion 20a, which is substantially similar to thebody portion 20 above described, is provided with an outwardly extendingarm 25a and is likewise slotted as shown at 38 for receiving the bolt31.

embodiment of my return bend coupling have been assembled, it is merelynecessary to manually rotate the cylindrical body portion 20asutilciently to permit the bolt 31 to be inserted Within 5 the slots 36and 38 of the arms 35 and.25a, whereupon the tightening of the nut 39will draw the arm 25a. toward the stationary arm 35, thereby causing theheaded member I1 to be firmly seated against the end of the branchmember IIa. In 10 other respects, the details of construction of thisembodiment of my invention 'Ris substantially similar to the embodimentfirst described.

The slightly varying embodiment of the invention is illustratedinFigures 7, 8 and 9 which 15 shows the application thereof as readilyadaptable for a pipe coupling or union. For the pur-A pose ofconvenience, 'I will refer to the section indicated as at 42 as therelatively stationary member, the section 43 as the tubular member 20and the cylindrical body portion indicated as at 44. As in theembodiments of the invention a1- ready described, the stationary member42 is provided with outwardly extending and integrally formed lugs 45which are provided with angular 25 faces 46 and are adapted to beengaged by the inwardly extending teeth 41 formed upon the cyu lindricalbody portion 44. Instead of providing a concave seat portion which isadapted to be engaged by a mating end portion as in the pre- 30 viousdisclosures, I have found it highly desirable to form the opposingsurfaces 48 and 49 of the stationary member 42 and the tubular member 43with annular depressions 5D and 5I for the purpose of receiving thetapered rin'g or gasket 52. 35

An outwardly projecting arm 53 is integrally cast with the cylindricalbody portion 44 and is provided near the outer end thereof with a boltreceiving opening 54. An arm 55 is likewise integrally formed upon theouter surface of the 40 stationary member 42 and is apertured as shownat 56, the said aperture being in alignment with the opening 54 in thearm 53.

In assembling this pipe coupling it will be appreciated that the tubularmember 43 is rst 45 inserted through the cylindrical body portion 44until the annular flange 51 of the tubular member rests against theinwardly extending iiange 58 of the body portion 44. The ring or gasket52 is then placed in position within either of the 50 depressions 50 or5I. 'I'he cylindrical body portion 44 is then passed over the lugs 45 ofthe stationary member 42. By manually rotating the cylindrical bodyportion for a relatively short distance, the bolt 59 is inserted throughthe mov- 55 able and stationary arms 53 and 55, the effectual lockingthereof being accomplished by means of the nut 60.

Instead of providing the stationary member with outwardly extending lugsand its coacting 60 cylindrical body portion with mating teeth as in theembodiments of the invention already described, I may employ a pluralityof sets or groups of threads indicated generally as at 6I in Figures 10and 11. In this embodiment of the invention 65 is disclosed three groupsof mutilated threads. The length of the spaces 62 between the threads 6Iare slightly greater than the threaded portions, as is clearly lshown inFigure 10.- Obviously, SingIe, double or even triple threads may be 70employed, depending upon the size of the coupling and the surface forwhich it is intended. In assembling or separating the cylindrical bodyportion 63 from its stationary member 64, but a comparatively slightrelative movement is necessary 75 aoaana for engagement or disengagementbetween their respective threaded portions.

Figures 12, 13 and 14 illustrate my invention as applied to aconventional box type return bend. In this embodiment of my invention,as already disclosed in Figures 1 to 4, I employ a hollowed body 65having a pair of branch members 66, sealing members 61 and a unitarythreaded bolt 68 for simultaneously fastening the sealing members withrespect to the branch members.

Each of the'branch members 66 is provided with a concave seat 69 for thepurpose of being engaged by mating discs 10 which are adapted to besecurely held in place by means of the sealing members 61, as is clearlyshown in Figure 13. It has been found highly desirable, in fitting thediscs 10 with respect to their seats 69, to form them separately fromthe sealing members 61. 'I'his may be readily accomplished by means ofthe upwardly extending projection 1| being integrally formed with eachdisc 10 and adapted to be held against displacement by means of therecess 12. This novel construction has been found highly practical forthe reason that there may readily be a slight variance between the seat69, its mating disc 10 and the sealing member 61 with its respectivecamming means.

The camming means, it will be readily obvious, consists of the outwardlyextending lugs 13, integrally formed with the sealing member 61 and theinwardly projecting teeth 14 of the branch members 66. The opposing orcontacting surfaces between the lugs 13 and their mating teeth 14 are,of course, beveled or provided with an angle suitable to eilectuallyseal the several members.

The outwardly extending arms 15 may be integrally cast upon the uppersides of the sealing members 61. Suitable openings may be formed nearthe outer ends of the arms 15 for receiving the threaded bolt 68. Itwill be appreciated that this novel arrangement of sealing members andtheir respective arms 15, since they are identically formed therebypermitting their interchangeability, a material saving in the cost ofmanufacture, replacement and upkeep is effected.

What I claim is:

1. In return-bend pipe construction; a pair of conduits positioned insubstantially parallel relationship; means for sealing the ends of bothconduits including a return-bend, and devices cooperating with thereturn-bend and the conduit ends to prevent passage of fluid in saidconstruction other than from one conduit through the return bend to theother conduit; the devices being removably associated with the conduitends and being moved into or out of passage-preventing position bycooperating cam faces at each conduit end; one of the devices at eachconduit end having an apertured lug and being itself rotatable; the lugsof the devices of the two conduits, when the devices are assembled forpassage prevention, being positioned so that their apertures aresubstantially aligned; and a single bolt extending between the lugs foreffecting movement of the lugs towards each other and to cause the camfaces at each conduit end simultaneously to make the sealing meanseffective for sealing both conduits.

2. In return-bend pipe construction; a pair of conduits positioned insubstantially parallel relationship; `means for sealing the ends of bothconv duits including a return-bend, and devices cooperating with thereturn-bend and the conduit ends to prevent passage of fluid in saidconstruction other than from one conduit through the return bend to theother conduit; the devices including a seat at the end of each conduit;a plug for the seat; and means for forcing the plug down upon the seat,comprising a camming member, the camming member and the conduit endhaving cooperating projections for eilecting movement of the cammingmember to drive the plug against the seat on rotation of the cammingmember; each camming member having an apertured lug; the lugs, when thecamming members are associated with the conduit ends, being positionedso that their apertures are substantially aligned; and a single boltextending between the lugs for effecting movement of the lugs towardseach other and to force both plugs simultaneously against theirrespective seats.

3. In return-bend pipe construction; a pair of conduits positioned insubstantially parallel relationship; a return-bend associated with theends of the conduits; and means for sealing the returnbend and theconduit ends together to form a single continuous passage therethrough;the sealing means including a coupling member at each conduit end;shoulders on the coupling member, conduit, and return bend at eachconduit end; the shoulders cooperating with each other so that, onrotation of the coupling member with relation to the conduit end, theconduit ends and thereturn bend. will be driven together into sealingrelationship; and a single member extending between and engaging thecoupling members, so that when a force is applied through said single'member, simultaneous rotation of both coupling members will be effectedto drive the return bend simultaneously into sealing relationship toboth 40 conduit ends.

4. In return-bend pipe construction; a pair of conduits positioned insubstantially parallel ren lationship; a return-bend having its endsbrought into end to end relationship to the ends ofthe conduits; andmeans for driving the return-bend and the conduit; ends together to forma single continuous passage therethrough; the driving means including acoupling member at each conduit end; the return bend and the conduitshaving lateral projections from the outer faces thereof; the couplingmembers being positioned over the associated return bend and conduitends and being provided with inwardly directed projections to engage thelateral projections from conduits and return bend; some of the lateralprojections and the inwardly directed projections being formed tocooperate with each other as wedging cam faces; and means for compellingeach coupling member, the return bend, and its respective conduit end tomove relatively io each other for making the cam faces effective todrive the respective conduit and return-bend ends together;A thecompelling means comprising an ear on each coupling member; and a singlebolt carried between the ears, so that on actuating the bolt, the earswill be caused to move relatively to each other simultaneously to rotateboth coupling members for driving the return bend and the conduit endstogether.

MILTON P. LAURENT.

